Ganglioside-associated recombinant antibodies and the use thereof in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related with the obtaining of modified antibodies by means of the DNA recombinant technology from the murine monoclonal antibody P3 (MAb P3) produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under Budapest Treaty with accession number ECACC 94113026 and from its anti-idiotype murine monoclonal antibody 1E10(MAbai 1E10) produced by the hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 97112901, with the objective of achieving monoclonal antibodies which preserve the biological function of specific binding to the antigen of the original antibodies, but being at the same time less immunogenic.  
     The chimeric antibodies of the invention contain the variable domains of the murine immunoglobulin and the constant regions of the human immunoglobulin; and those humanized, besides containing the constant regions of the human immunoglobulins, they are modified in the region of the murine frameworks (FRs) and in particular in those zones that could be in an antigenic site for the T cells, so several positions of the FRS are human as well. These antibodies can be used in the diagnosis and therapy of different types of tumors. The present invention is also related with use of the antibodies for therapeutical and diagnostic purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention is related to the biotechnology field, in particular with new recombinant antibodies obtained by genetic engineering, specifically with chimeric and humanized antibodies obtained from the murine monoclonal antibody P3 (MAb P3) and its anti-idiotype murine monoclonal antibody 1E10 (MAbai 1E10).

[0002] More specifically, the invention is related with antibodies that bind to gangliosides containing N-glycolylated sialic acid, but not with the acetylated forms of the gangliosides neither with neuter glycolipids. Gangliosides containing N-glycolylated sialic acid are antigens widely expressed in breast cancer and melanomas. On the other hand, the anti-tumor effect of the MAbai 1E10 has also been demonstrated in experimental models.

[0003] The present invention is also related with the pharmaceutical compositions that contain the previously described recombinant antibodies useful in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer, particularly breast cancer and melanomas.

PRIOR ART

[0004] Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids that contain sialic acid and they are present in the plasmatic membrane of cells of vertebrates (Stults et al. (1989): Glycosphingolipids: structure, biological source and properties, Methods Enzymology, 179:167-214). Some of these molecules have been reported in the literature as antigens associated to tumors or tumor markers (Hakomori et al. (1991): Possible functions of tumor associated carbohydrate antigens, Curr. Opin. Immunol., 3: 646-653), for that reason the use of anti-gangliosides antibodies has been described as useful in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer (Hougton et al. (1985): Mouse monoclonal antibody IgG3 antibody detecting GD3 ganglioside: to phase I trial in patients with malignant melanoma, PNAS USA, 82:1242-1246; Zhang et al. (1997): Selection of carbohydrate tumor antigens as targets for immune attack using immunohistochemistry. I. Focus on gangliosides, Int. J. Cancer, 73: 42-49).

[0005] Sialic acids more frequently expressed in animals are N-acetyl (NeuAc) and N-glycolyl (NeuGc) (Corfield et al. (1982): Occurrence of sialic acids, Cell. Biol. Monogr., 10: 5-50). NeuGc is not expressed in normal human and chickens tissues in general, but it is broadly distributed in other vertebrates (Leeden and Yu, (1976): Chemistry and analysis of sialic acid. In: Biological Role of Sialic Acid. Rosemberg A and Shengtrund C L (Eds). Plenum Press, New York, 1-48; Kawai et al. (1991): Quantitative determination of N-glycolylneuraminic acid expression in human cancerous tissues and avian lymphoma cell lines as a tumor associated sialic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Cancer Research, 51: 1242-1246). However, there are reports that show that antibodies anti-NeuGc, recognize some human tumors and tumor cell lines (Higashi et al. (1988): Detection of gangliosides as N-glycolylneuraminic acid specific tumor-associated Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen in human retinoblastoma cells, Jpn. J. Cancer Res., 79: 952-956; Fukui et al. (1989): Detection of glycoproteins as tumor associated Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen in human gastric cancer cell line, NUGC4, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 160: 1149-1154). Increased levels of GM3 (NeuGc) gangliosides have been found in human breast cancer (Marquina et al. (1996): Gangliosides expressed in human breast cancer, Cancer Research, 1996; 56: 5165-5171), this result makes attractive the use of this molecule as target for cancer therapy.

[0006] The monoclonal antibody (Mab) P3 produced by the cell line deposited with accession number ECACC 94113026 (European Patent EP 0 657 471 B1), it is a murine monoclonal antibody with IgM isotype, that was obtained when fusing murine splenocytes from a BALB/c mouse immunized with liposomes containing GM3(NeuGc) and tetanic toxoid, with the cell line P3-X63-Ag8.653; which is a murine myeloma. This Mab P3 reacts strongly with gangliosides containing N-glycolylated sialic acid but not with the acetylated forms of the gangliosides neither with the neuter glycolipids. It was demonstrated by immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical studies carried out with cell lines and tissues from benign and neoplasic tumors that the Mab P3 recognizes breast cancer (Vázquez et al. (1995): Generation of a murine monoclonal antibody specific for N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing gangliosides that also recognizes sulfated glycolipids, Hybridoma, 14: 551-556) and melanoma.

[0007] The Mab P3 induced anti-idiotypic immune response (Ab2) in mice BALB/c (syngeneic model), even without adjuvant and carrier protein, (Vázquez et al. (1998): Syngeneic anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies to an anti-NeuGc-containing ganglioside monoclonal antibody, Hybridoma, 17: 527-534). The role of the electronegative groups, sialic acid (for gangliosides) and SO₃— (for sulfatides), in the recognition properties of this antibody was suggested by immunochemical analysis (Moreno et al. (1998): Delineation of epitope recognized by an antibody specific for N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing gangliosides, Glycobiology, 8: 695-705).

[0008] The anti-idiotypic Mab 1E10 (Mabai 1E10) of subtype IgG1, was obtained from a mouse BALB/c immunized with the Mab P3 coupled to KLH (U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,379, cell line deposited under accession number ECACC 97112901). Mabai 1E10 recognized specifically the MAb P3 and it did not bind other IgM anti-ganglioside antibodies. Moreover, Mabai 1E10inhibited the specific binding of Mab P3 to the GM3(NeuGc) and to a cell line MDA-MB-435 derived from ductal breast carcinoma (positive for Mab P3 binding). The MAbai 1E10induced a strong immune response of Ab3 antibodies when mice from syngeneic or alogenic models were immunized, these Ab3 antibodies didn't exhibit the same specificity as the Mab P3 eve when they carry idiotopes similar to those carried by the Ab1 antibody (Vázquez et al. (1998): Syngeneic anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies to an anti-NeuGc-containing ganglioside monoclonal antibody, Hybridoma, 17: 527-534). MAbai 1E10 induced a strong antitumor effect in syngeneic as well as alogenic mice. The growth of the mammary carcinoma cell line F311 was significantly reduced by the repeated dose of the MAbai 1E10 coupled KLH in Freund's adjuvant, when BALB/c mice were vaccinated. Also the number of spontaneous lung metastasis was reduced after the vaccination. The intravenous administration of the Mabai 1E10 to C57BLU6 mice inoculated, 10 to 14 days after the intravenous inoculation of melanoma cells B16, caused a dramatic reduction of the number of lung metastases when compared with mice treated with an irrelevant IgG. These results suggest that more than one mechanism of antitumor effect is triggered (Váczquez et al. (2000): Antitumor properties of an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody in relation to N-glycolyl-containing gangliosides, Oncol. Rep., 7: 751-756, 2000).

[0009] Even when hybridoma technology has been developed during 15 years (Koehler y Milstein (1975): Continuous cultures of fused cells secreting antibody of predefined specificity, Nature, 256: 495497) and when monoclonal antibodies are still very useful in diagnosis as well as research they have not demonstrated their therapeutic effectiveness in human. It has been mainly due to their short half-life in blood and to that murine effector functions fail for the human immune system, and also for the human anti-mouse antibody immune response (HAMA response).

[0010] Otherwise, genetic engineering technology has revolutionized the potential of the MAb utility, since manipulating immunoglobulin genes it is possible to obtain modified antibodies with reduced antigenicity, as well as to improve its effector functions for the treatment or diagnosis of certain pathologies. Methods for reducing immunoglobulin immunogenicity have as essential objective to diminish the differences between a murine antibody and a human immunoglobulin, without altering the antigen recognition specificity (Morrison y Oi (1989): Genetically engineered antibody molecules, Adv Immunol., 44: 65-92).

[0011] Recently several methods have been developed to humanize murine or rat antibodies and, of this way, to reduce the xenogenic immune response against foreign proteins when they are injected in humans. One of the first approach to reduce the antigenicity were the chimeric antibodies, in which the variable domains of the murine protein are inserted in constant domains of human molecules, that exhibit the same specificity but reduced immunogenicity compared to their murine counterparts, human effector functions are preserved by chimeric antibodies, (Morrison et al. (1984): Chimeric human antibody molecules: Mouse antigen-binding domains with human constant region domains, PNAS USA, 81: 6851-6855). Even when chimeric antibodies have the same specificity as the murine counterpart, an immune response to the rodent variable regions is frequently observed.

[0012] In an attempt to further reduce the immunogenicity of chimeric antibodies, only the CDRs from the rodent monoclonal antibody have been grafted onto human framework regions and this hybrid variable region expressed with human constant regions (Jones et al. (1986): Replacing the complementary-determining regions in a human antibody with those from a mouse, Nature 321: 522-524; Verhoeyen et al. (1988): Reshaping human antibodies: grafting an antilysozyme activity, Science 239, 1534-1536). However, this approach has several shortcomings: frequently the resulting antibody has decreased affinity and a number of framework residues must be backmutated to the corresponding murine ones to restore binding (Rietchmann et al. (1988): Reshaping human antibodies for therapy, Nature, 332: 323-327; Queen et al. (1989): A humanized antibody that binds to the inteneukin 2 receptor, PNAS USA, 86: 10029-10033; Tempest et al. (1991): Reshaping a human monoclonal antibody to inhibit human respiratory syncytial virus infection in vivo, Biotechnology, 9: 266-272). In addition, persisting immunogenicity is frequently observed in the CDR-grafted antibodies.

[0013] Mateo and collaborators (U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,120) have described a procedure for reducing immunogenicity of murine antibodies. According to the method, the modifications are restricted to the variable domains and specifically to the murine FRs of chimeric antibodies. Moreover, the replacements are only carried out in those regions of the FRs that have amphipatic sequences and therefore they are potential epitopos recognized by T cells.

[0014] The method comprises judiciously replacement of few amino acid residues, located in the potential immunogenic epitopes by the corresponding residues from the most homologous human sequence, the amino acids that are mainly responsible for canonical structures and also the residues in the immediate neighbourhood of the CDRs or into the Vernier zone, must be retained.

[0015] The resulting antibody retains its antigen binding specificity and to be less immunogenic than either its murine or chimeric predecessor (Mateo et al. (2000): Removal of T cell epitopes from genetically engineered antibodies: Production of modified immunoglobulins with reduced immunogenicity, Hybridoma 19: 463-71), these properties increases their therapeutic utility. Using this new procedure only few mutations, and of course less genetic manipulations, have to be done.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is related to recombinant antibodies, obtained by genetic engineering technology. Specifically, the invention is related with a chimeric antibody derived from the murine monoclonal antibody P3, produced by hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 94113026. MAB P3 recognizes an antigen expressed in breast tumor cells and melanomas. The MAb P3 is characterized by the following sequences of the hypervariable regions (CDRs) of the heavy and light chains:

[0017] Heavy Chain CDR1: RYSVH CDR2: MIWGGGSTDYNSALKS CDR3: SGVREGRAQAWFAY

[0018] Cadena Ligera CDR1: KASQDVSTAVA CDR2: SASYRYT CDR3: QQHYSTPWT

[0019] Preferably, the FRs sequences of the heavy and light chain are the following:

[0020] Heavy Chain FR1: QVQLKESGPGLVAPSQSLSITCTVSGFSLS FR2: WVRQPPGKGLEWLG FR3: RLSISKDNSKSQVFLKMNSLQTDDTAMYYCAR FR4: WGQGTLV

[0021] Light Chain FR1: DIVMTQSHKFMSTSVGDRVSITC FR2: WYQQKPGQSPKLLIY FR3: GVPDRFTGSGSGTDFTFTISSVQAEDLAVYYC FR4: FGGGTKL

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the chimeric antibody of the present invention, contains the constant region of heavy chain human IgG1 and the constant region of light chain human Ck. In another aspect, the present invention is related with a humanized antibody derived from the Mab P3 produced by the hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 94113026, characterized because it contains the constant region of human heavy chain IgG1 and the constant region of human light chain human Ck and FRs regions of the light chain contains any of the following point mutations:

[0023] Light Chain:

[0024] Position 8: His by Pro

[0025] Position 9: Lys by Ser

[0026] Position 10: Phe by Ser

[0027] Position 11: Met by Leu

[0028] Position 13: Thr by Ala

[0029] In another aspect, the invention is related with a chimeric antibody derived from the murine monoclonal antibody 1E10 produced by the hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 97112901, and it is an antidiotype antibody, which recognizes the MAb P3. The MAbai 1E10 is characterized by the following sequences of the hypervariable regions (CDRs) of the heavy and light chains:

[0030] Heavy Chain CDR1: SYDIN CDR2: WIFPGDGSTKYNEKFKG CDR3: EDYYDNSYYFDY

[0031] Light Chain CDR1: RASQDISNYLN CDR2: YTSRLHSG CDR3: QQGNTLPWT

[0032] Preferably, the FRs sequences of the heavy and light chain are the following:

[0033] Heavy Chain FR1: QVQLQQSGAELVKPGASVKLSCKASGYTFT FR2: WVRQRPEQGLEWIG FR3: KATLTTDKSSSTAYMQLSRLTSEDSAVYFCAR FR4: WGQGTTLTV

[0034] Light Chain FR1: DIQMTQTTSSLSASLGDRVTISC FR2: WYQQKPDGTVKLLIY FR3: VPSRFSGSGSGTDYSLTISNLEQEDIATYFC FR4: FGGGTKLESK

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the chimeric antibody of the present invention, contains the constant region of heavy chain human IgG1 and the constant region of light chain human Ck.

[0036] In another aspect, the present invention is related with a humanized antibody derived from the Mab 1E10 produced by the hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 97112901, characterized in that it contains the constant region of human heavy chain IgG1 and the constant region of human light chain Ck and FRs regions of the heavy and light chain contains any of the following point mutations:

[0037] Light Chain:

[0038] Position 7: Thr by Ser

[0039] Position 8: Thr by Pro

[0040] Position 15: Leu by Val

[0041] Heavy Chain:

[0042] Position 5: Gln by Val

[0043] Position 40: Arg by Ala

[0044] Position 42: Glu by Gly

[0045] Position 87 (83 according Kabat's numbering): Thr by Arg

[0046] In another aspect, the present invention is related with the cell lines that express the described chimeric and humanized antibodies; additionally the invention is related with pharmaceutical compositions comprising the described antibodies.

[0047] Preferably it is related with pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of breast, lung, digestive system, urogenital system, melanomas, sarcomas and neuroectodermic tumors, their metastases and relapses, comprising the described antibodies and an appropriate exicipient.

[0048] In another representation of the present invention, the pharmaceutical compositions can be used for the localization and diagnosis in vivo of breast, lung, digestive system, urogenital system, melanomas, sarcomas and neuroectodérmico tumors, their metastases and relapses, comprising the described antibodies.

[0049] cDNA Synthesis and Gene Amplification by PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) of the Variable Region of MAb P3 and Mabai 1E10.

[0050] Cytoplasmic RNA was extracted from about 10⁶ hybridoma cells of P3 (murine IgM MAb, that recognizes to the GM3 N-glycolylated ganglioside) or of 1E10 (antidiotype anti-P3 antibody). The RNA was extracted by using the reagent TRIZOL (GIBCO BRL, Grand Island, N.Y.), according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0051] The cDNA synthesis reaction was carried out mixing 5 μg of the RNA, 25 pmoles of Vh (complementary to the constant region of murine IgM for VHP3, and with the constant region of murine IgG1 for VH 1E10) or Vk (complementary to constant murine kappa region for both antibodies), 2.5 mM of each dNTPs, 50 mM Tris-Hcl pH 7.5, 75 mM KCl, 10 mM DTT, 8 mM MgCl2 and 15 units of RNAse inhibitor in a 50 μl reaction mixture. It was heated at 70° C., for 10 minutes and slowly cooled up to 37° C. Then, 100 units of MLV reverse transcriptase enzyme were added and the incubation at 42° C. continued for one hour.

[0052] The variable regions VK and VH cDNAs were amplified by PCR. Shortly, 5 μl cADN of VH or VK were mixed with 25 pmoles of specific primers, 2.5 mM of each dNTP, 5 μl constituents of 10× buffer Taq DNA polymerase and 1 unit of this enzyme. The samples were subjected to 25 thermal cycles at 94° C., 30 sec; 50° C., 30 sec; 72° C., 1 min, and a last incubation for 5 minutes at 72° C.

[0053] Cloning and Sequencing of Amplified cDNA

[0054] The PCRs products of VH and VK (of the P3 and of the 1E10 respectively) were cloned into TA vector (TA Cloning kit. Promega, USA). The resulting clones were sequenced by the dideoxy method using T7 DNA Polymerase (T7 sequencing kit, Pharmacia, Sweden).

[0055] Construction of Chimeric Genes

[0056] The VH VK genes were excised from TA vectors by enzymatic digestion and they were cloned into the respective expression vectors (Coloma et al. (1992): Novel vectors for the expression of antibody molecules using variable regions generated by polymerase chain reaction, J. Immunol. Meth., 152: 89-104).

[0057] The VH genes were excised from the TA vector by enzymatic digestion with EcoRV and NheI and cloned in an expression vector (PAH 4604) that has included a variable region human IgG1 and the histidinol resistance gene. The resultant constructions were P3VH-PAH4604 and 1E10VH-PAH4604. The VK genes were excised from TA vector by enzymatic digestion with EcoRV and SalI and cloned in an expression vector (PAG4622). This vector has included mycophenolic acid resistance gene and the human kappa constant region. The resultant constructions were P3VK-PAG4622 and 1E10VK-PAG4622.

[0058] Expression of Chimeric Antibodies Obtained from Mab P3 and Mabid 1E10.

[0059] NS-0 cells were electroporated with 10 μg of P3VK-PAG4622 or 1E10VK-PAG4622, clones expressing human kappa light chains were transfected with 10 μg of P3VH-PAH4604 or 1E10VH-PAH4604.

[0060] The DNAs were linearized by digestion with Pvul enzyme, precipitated with ethanol and dissolved in 50 μl of PBS. Approximately 10⁷ cells were harvested by centrifugation and resupended in 0.5 ml of PBS together with the digested DNA in an electroporation cuvette. After 10 minutes on ice, the cells were given a pulse of 200 volts and 960 μF and left in ice for a further 10 minutes. The cells were distributed into 96 wells plate with D'MEM F12 plus 10% fetal calf serum. Two or four days later, it is added selective medium (D'MEM F12 with mycophenolic acid 0,45 μg/mL or histidinol 10 mM, respectively). Transfected clones were visible with the naked eyes 14 days later.

[0061] The presence of human antibody in the medium of the wells containing transfected clones was measured by ELISA. Microtiter plate wells were coated with goat anti-human kappa light chain (for human kappa chain producing clones) or anti-human IgG (gamma chain specific) (for the complete antibody producing clones) antibodies. After washing with PBST (saline phosphate buffered solution containing 0.05% Tween 20), diluted culture medium of the wells containing transfectants was added to each microtiter well for one hour at 37° C. The wells were washed with PBS-T and peroxidase of spicy radish-conjugated goat anti-human kappa light chain or alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (gamma chain specific), were added and incubated at 37° C. one hour. The wells were washed with PBS-T and substrate buffer containing o-phenylendiamine or p-nitrophenylphosphate, respectively, was added. After half hour, absorbance at 492 or 405 nm respectively, was measured.

[0062] Construction of the Humanized Antibodies P3hu and 1E10 hu by Humanization of T Cell Epitopes. Prediction of T Cell Epitopes

[0063] The sequences of P3 and 1E10 variable domains were analysed with the algorithm AMPHI (Margalit et al. (1987): Prediction of immunodominant helper T cell antigenic sites from the primary sequence, J. Immunol., 138: 2213-2229). It searched helical amphipatic segments, with 7 or 11 aminoacid residues, which have been associated with T immunogenicity. The program SOHHA also predicted helical hydrophobic segments. (Elliot et al. (1987). An hypothesis on the binding of an amphipatic, alpha helical sequence in li to the desotope of class II antigen, J. Immunol., 138: 2949-2952). Both algorithms predicted which segments from variable region sequences of antibodies P3 and 1E10 could be presented to T-helper cells in the context of MHC class 11 molecules.

[0064] Homology Analysis with Human Immunoglobulins.

[0065] The amino acid sequences of murine variable regions were compared with the immunoglobulin sequences included in the GeneBank and EMBL database (available in Internet). The most homologous human variable region sequence was determined for each antibody. Software PC-TWO HIBIO PROSIS 06-00 (Hitachi) was used for sequences homology searching.

[0066] Analysis for the Immunogenicity Reduction.

[0067] The aim of the method is to reduce immunogenicity breaking or humanizing potential immunogenic T epitopes, with a minimum of changes. The method comprises judiciously replacement of few amino acid residues, located into helical amphipatic segments. The amino acids, which are mainly responsible for canonical structures and also the residues in the immediate neighbourhood of the CDRs or into Vernier zone, must be retained.

[0068] According to the method, murine variable region sequences were compared with the most homologous human sequence and different aminoacid residues at each position between the murine MAb and the most homologous human sequence were identified, only residues into FRs were taken into account (Kabat (1991), Sequences of proteins of immunological interest, Fifth Edition, National Institute of Health), the previously defined residues were replaced by those residues present in the most homologous human sequence. Replacements were made by directed mutagenesis techniques.

[0069] Residues involved in three-dimensional structure of the binding site were not mutated; it could affect antigen recognition. Additional information about the influence of the replacements in the tertiary structure can be obtained by molecular modelling of the antigen binding site.

[0070] The presence of proline residues into the helical amphipatic segment and the fact that a certain murine residues don't appear in the same position in the most homologous human sequence but be frequent in other human immunoglobulins, must be kept in mind. For that reason there is not a unique ensemble of murine amino acids to be replaced into the frameworks. It is possible to obtain different versions of the modified antibody with different numbers of replacements. The mutations were carried out by over-lapping of PCRs.

[0071] Cloning and Expressing Humanized Antibodies P3hu and 1E10hu.

[0072] The genetic constructions corresponding to the P3hu and 1E10hu, were cloned in expression vectors following the method described for the chimeric antibodies. The resultants constructions were P3VKhu-PAG4622 or 1E10Vkhu-PAG4622 and P3VHhu-PAH4604 and 1E10VHhu-PAH4604. They were transfected into NS-0 cells following the protocol described previously for chimeric antibodies.

[0073] Purification of the Recombinant Antibodies.

[0074] The recombinant antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography using protein A (Pharmacia, Upssala, Sweden).

[0075] Biological Activity.

[0076] The specific binding to antigen measured by ELISA tested the biological activity of the recombinant antibodies.

[0077] For recombinant MAb P3, microtiter plates were coated with GM3(NeuGc) ganglioside in methanol. After drying one hour, unspecific binding was blockade with bovine sera albumin (BSA) 1% in Tris-HCl buffer, incubated for one hour at 37° C. The wells were washed with PBS and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. with purified recombinant Mab P3. The wells were washed with tris-HCl and a goat anti-human antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was added and incubated at 37° C. for one hour. Finally, the wells were washed and the substrate buffer containing p-nitrophenylphosphate was added. After half hour absorbance at 405 or 492 nm respectively, was measured.

[0078] For recombinant Mabai 1E10, the ELISA assay was similar, except that wells were coated with Mab P3 and washing were made with PBS-0.05% Tween 20.

EXAMPLES

[0079] In the following examples all the enzymes used, as well as reagents and materials were obtained from commercial sources unless the opposite is specified.

Example 1 Obtaining of Chimeric MAb P3.

[0080] The cDNA synthesis was obtained by a reaction with reverse transcriptase enzyme, starting with RNA from the hybridoma producing Mab P3, as described previously. The sequence of the specific primers used in this reaction is shown:

[0081] For VH: 5′ AGGTCTAGAA(CT)CTCCACACAC AGG(AG)(AG)CCAGTGGATAGAC 3′

[0082] For VK: 5′ GCGTCTAGAACTGGATGGTGGGAAGATGG 3′

[0083] cDNA VHP3 and cDNA VKP3 were amplified by PCR using Taq Polymerase and specific primers. The restriction sites included in the primers were ECORV/NHEI, for VH and ECORV/SALI for VK. The primers sequences used were the following:

[0084] For VH:

[0085] Primer 1 (signal peptide): 5′GGGGATATCCACCATGG(AG)ATG(CG) AGCTG(TG)GT(CA)AT(CG)CTCTT 3′

[0086] Primer 2 (CH1): 5′ GGGGCTAGCTGCAGAGACAGTGACCAGAGT 3′

[0087] For VK:

[0088] Primer 1 (signal peptide): 5′ GGGGATATCCACCATGGAG(TA)CAC A(GT)(TA)CTCAGGTCTTT(GA)T 3′

[0089] Primer 2 (Ck): 5′ AGCGTCGACTTACGTTT(TG)ATTTCCA(GA)CTT(GT)GTCCC 3′

[0090] PCR products were cloned into TA vector (TA cloning kit, Invitrogen). Twelve independent clones were sequenced by the dideoxy method using T7 DNA Pol (Pharmacia). By homology search analysis it was determined the most homologous sequence group for VHP3 and VKP3. VHP3 and VKP3 sequences (FIGS. 1 and 2) have high homology with groups IB and V respectively according to Kabat's classification.

[0091] After digestion with the restriction enzymes ECORV and NHEI for VHP3 and with ECORV and SALI for VKP3, they were cloned in the expression vectors previously digested with the same enzymes, PAH4604 and PAG4622 for VH and VK respectively. These expression vectors were donated by Sherie Morrison (UCLA, Calif., USA), they are suitable for immunoglobulins expression in mammalian cells. The vector PAH 4604 have included the human constant region IgG1 and the PAG 4622 human (Coloma et al. (1992): Novel vectors for the expression of antibody molecules using variable regions generated by polymerase chain reaction, J. Immunol. Meth., 152: 89-104). The resultant constructs were P3VH-PAH4604 and P3VK-PAG4622.

[0092] NS-0 cells were transfected with 10 μg of P3VK-PAG4622, a clone expressing light chain was transfected with 10 μg P3VH-PAH4604, in both cases DNA is linearized with Pvul, ethanol precipitated and dissolved in 50 Ili of PBS before transfection.

[0093] Approximately 10⁷ cells were harvested by centrifugation and resupended in 0.5 ml of PBS together with the digested DNA in an electroporation cuvelte. After 10 minutes on ice, the cells were given a pulse of 200 volts and 960° F. and left in ice for a further 10 minutes. The cells were distributed into 96 wells plate with D'MEM F12 plus 10% fetal calf serum. Two or four days later, it is added selective medium (D'MEM F12 with mycophenolic acid 0,45 μg/mL or histidinol 10 mM, respectively). Transfected clones were visible with the naked eyes 14 days later.

[0094] The presence of human antibody in the medium of wells containing transfected clones was measured by ELISA. Microtiter plate wells were coated with goat anti-human kappa light chain (for human kappa chain producing clones) or anti-human IgG (gamma chain specific) (for the complete antibody producing clones) antibodies. After washing with PBST (saline phosphate buffered solution containing 0.05% Tween 20), diluted culture medium of the wells containing transfectants was added to each Microtiter well for one hour at 37° C. The wells were washed with PBS-T and peroxidase of spicy radish-conjugated goat anti-human kappa light chain or alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (gamma chain specific), were added and incubated at room temperature one hour. The wells were washed with PBS-T and substrate buffer containing o-phenylendiamine or p-nitrophenylphosphate, respectively, was added. After half hour absorbance at 492 or 405 nm respectively, was measured.

Example 2 Obtaining Different Versions of the Humanized Antibody P3.

[0095] Murine VHP3 and VKP3 sequences (FIGS. 1 and 2) were compared with human sequences. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the most homologous human sequences. Helical amphipatic regions or potential T cell epitopes were searched on murine P3 variable region sequences and according with the method a judiciously strategy for aminoacid replacements was established in order to break or humanize potential T cell epitopes into the murine sequences.

[0096] The analysis on VHP3 rendered (FIG. 3) 2 amphipatic segments, the first one embraces CDR1, FR2 and some residues of the CDR2, the second one embraces the end of FR3 and CDR3. The main differences of murine sequence in comparison with the most homologous human sequence were founded in CDRs or residues involved with the three dimensional structure of the binding site. For that reason it was decided do not replace any aminoacid in murine VHP3.

[0097] The analysis for VKP3 rendered also 2 amphipatic segments (FIG. 4), the first segment embraces FR1, the second one embraces CDR2 and some residues of the FR3. It was decide to replace residues at positions 8,9,10,11 and 13 by residues at the same position in the most homologous human sequence. The amino acids aminoacidos His, Lys, Phe, Met and Thr were replaced by Pro, Ser, Ser, Leu, and Ala, respectively. The replacements were made by PCR overlapping (Kammann et al. (1989) Rapid insertional mutagenesis of DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Nucleic Acids Res., 17: 5404) using primers 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 whose sequences are the following: Primer 1: 5′ ATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCTTCTCTTTCCGCGTCAGTAGGAGAC 3′ Primer 2: 5′ AGCGTCGACTTACGTTT(TG)ATTTCCA(GA)CTT(GT)GTCCC 3′ Primer 3: 5′ GTCTCCTACTGACGCGGAAAGAGAAGAAGGAGACTGGGTCAT 3′ Primer 4: 5′GGGGATATCCACCATGGAG(TA)CACA(GT)(TA)CTCAGGTCTTT (GA)T 3′

[0098] The point mutations were verified by sequencing. The resultant construct was P3Vkhu and it was cloned in PAG 4622 expression vector. The resultant construct was P3VKhu-PAG4622.

[0099] To express the humanized antibody P3, NS-0 cells were transfected with P3VH-PAH4604 and P3VKhu-PAG4622 P3hu antibody was transfected following the same procedure of electroporation and detection described previously for the chimeric antibodies.

Example 3 Biological Activity of Chimeric MAb P3.

[0100] The specific binding to antigen measured by ELISA tested the biological activity of the Mab P3 chimeric.

[0101] For recombinant MAb P3, microtiter plates were coated with GM3(NeuGc) ganglioside in methanol. After drying one hour at 37° C., unspecific binding was blockade with bovine sera albumin (BSA) 1% in Tris-HCl buffer, incubated for one hour at 37° C. The wells were washed with PBS and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. with purified recombinant Mab P3. The wells were washed with tris-HCl and a goat anti-human antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was added and incubated at 37° C. for one hour. Finally, the wells were washed with Tris-HCl and the substrate buffer containing p-nitrophenylphosphate was added. After half hour absorbance at 405 nm, was measured.

[0102] Mab Ti chimeric was used as negative control.

[0103]FIG. 5 shows the specific binding of Mab P3 chimeric to the antigen.

Example 4 Obtaining of Chimeric MAb 1E10.

[0104] The cDNA synthesis was obtained by a reaction with reverse transcriptase enzyme, starting with RNA from the hybridoma producing Mab 1E10, as described previously. The sequence of the specific primers used in this reaction is shown following:

[0105] For VH: 5′GGGGCTAGCTGAGGAGACTGTGAGAGTGGT 3′

[0106] For VK: 5′GCGTCTAGAACTGGATGGTGGGAAGATGGA 3′

[0107] cDNA VH1E10 and cDNA VK1E10 were amplified by PCR using Taq Pol and specific primers.

[0108] For VH: Primer 1 (signal peptide): 5′GGGGATATCCACCATGG(AG)ATG(CG)AGCTG (TG)GT(CA)AT(CG)CTCTT 3′ Primer 2 (CH1): 5′ GGGGCTAGCTGAGGAGACTGTGAGAGTGGT 3′

[0109] For VK: Primer 1 (signal peptide): 5′GGGGTTAACCACCATGAGG(GT)CCCC(AT)GC TCAG(CT)T(CT)CT(TG)GG(GA)3′ Primer 2 (Ck): 5′AGCGTCGACTTACGTTT(TG)ATTTCCA(GA)C TT(GT)GTCCC3′

[0110] PCR products were cloned into TA vector (TA cloning kit, Invitrogen). Twelve independent clones were sequenced (FIGS. 7 and 8) by the dideoxy method using T7 DNA Pol (Pharmacia). By homology search analysis it was determined the most homologous sequence group for VHIE10 and VK1E10. VH1E10 and VK1E10 sequences have high homology with groups miscellaneous and V respectively according to Kabat's classification.

[0111] After digestion with the restriction enzymes ECORV and NHEI for VH1E10 and with HincII and SALI for VKIE10, they were cloned in the expression vectors previously digested with appropriated enzymes, PAH4604 and PAG4622 for VH and VK respectively. These expression vectors were donated by Sherie Morrison (UCLA, Calif., USA), they are suitable for immunoglobulins expression in mammalian cells. The vector PAH 4604 have included the human constant region IgG1 and the PAG 4622 human (Coloma et al. (1992): Novel vectors for the expression of antibody molecules using variable regions generated by polymerase chain reaction, J. Immunol. Meth., 152: 89-104). The resultant constructs 1E10VH-PAH4604 and 1E10VK-PAG4622.

[0112] NS-0 cells were transfected with 10 μg of 1E10VK-PAG4622, a clone expressing light chain was transfected with 10 μg 1E10VH-PAH4604, in both cases DNA is linearized with Pvul, ethanol precipitated and dissolved in 50 μl of PBS before transfection.

[0113] Approximately 10⁷ cells were harvested by centrifugation and resupended in 0.5 ml of PBS together with the digested DNA in an electroporation cuvette. After 10 minutes on ice, the cells were given a pulse of 200 volts and 960° F. and left in ice for a further 10 minutes. The cells were distributed into 96 wells plate with D'MEM F12 plus 10% fetal calf serum. Two or four days later, it is added selective medium (D'MEM F12 with mycophenolic acid 0,45 μg/mL or histidinol 10 mM, respectively). Transfected clones were visible with the naked eyes 14 days later.

[0114] The presence of human antibody in the medium of wells containing transfected clones was measured by ELISA. Microtiter plate wells were coated with goat anti-human kappa light chain (for human kappa chain producing clones) or anti-human IgG (gamma chain specific) (for the complete antibody producing clones) antibodies. After washing with PBST (phosphate buffered saline containing 0.05% Tween 20), diluted culture medium of the wells containing transfectants was added to each Microtiter well for one hour at 37° C. The wells were washed with PBS-T and peroxidase of spicy radish-conjugated goat anti-human kappa light chain or alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (gamma chain specific), were added and incubated at room temperature one hour. The wells were washed with PBS-T and substrate buffer containing o-phenylendiamine or p-nitrophenylphosphate, respectively, was added. After half hour absorbance at 492 or 405 nm respectively, was measured.

Example 5 Obtaining Different Versions of the Humanized Antibody 1E10.

[0115] Murine VH1E10 VK1E10 sequences (FIGS. 6 and 7) were compared with human sequences, FIGS. 8 and 9 shown the most homologous human sequences. Helical amphipatic regions or potential T cell epitopes were searched on murine 1E10 variable region sequences and according with the method a judiciously strategy for aminoacid replacements was established in order to break or humanize potential T cell epitopes into the murine sequences

[0116] The analysis on VH1E10 rendered (FIG. 8) 3 amphipatic segments, the first one embraces FR1, the second one embraces FR2, the third one embraces FR3. It was decide to replace residues at positions 5, 40, 42 and 87 (83 according to Kabat's numbering) by residues at the same position in the most homologous human sequence. The amino acids GIn, Arg, Glu and they were replaced by Val, Ala, Gly and Arg, respectively.

[0117] The replacements were made by PCR overlapping (Kammann et al. (1989) Rapid insertional mutagenesis of DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Nucleic Acids Res., 17: 5404) using different set of primers.

[0118] Primers for mutation at position 5 of the heavy chain were 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 whose sequences are the following: Primer 1: 5′ CAGGTTCAGCTGGTGCAGTCTGGAGCT 3′ Primer 2: 5′ GGGGCTAGCTGAGGAGACTGTGAGAGTGGT 3′ Primer 3: 5′ AGCTCCAGACTGCACCAGCTGAACCTG 3′ Primer 4: 5′GGGGATATCCACCATGG(AG)ATG(CG)AGCTG (TG)GT(CA)AT(CG)CTCTT 3′

[0119] After checking by sequence the point mutation at position 5, mutations at positions 40 and 42 were introduced.

[0120] Primer for mutations at positions 40 and 42 of the heavy chain: Primer 1: 5′ TGGGTGAGGCAGGCGCCTGGGCAGGGACTTGAG 3′ Primer 2: 5′ GGGGCTAGCTGAGGAGACTGTGAGAGTGGT 3′ Primer 3: 5′ CTCAAGTCCCTGCCCAGGCGCCTGCCTCACCCA 3′ Primer 4: 5′GGGGATATCCACCATGG(AG)ATG(CG)AGCTG(TG) GT(CA)AT(CG)CTCTT 3′

[0121] After checking by sequence the point mutation at positions 40 and 42, mutation at positions 87 (83 according to Kabat's numbering) was introduced.

[0122] Primer for mutations at position 87 (83 according to Kabat's numbering) of the heavy chain: Primer 1: 5′ CTCAGCAGGCTGCGGTCTGAGGACTCT 3′ Primer 2: 5′ GGGGCTAGCTGAGGAGACTGTGAGAGTGGT 3′ Primer 3: 5′ AGAGTCCTCAGACCGCAGCCTGCTGAG 3′ Primer 4: 5′GGGGATATCCACCATGG(AG)ATG(CG)AGCTG (TG)GT(CA)AT(CG)CTCTT 3′

[0123] Other replacements were not made because residues were involved in the three dimensional structure of the binding site.

[0124] The point mutations were verified by sequencing. The resultant construct was 1E10VHhu and it was cloned in PAH4604 expression vector. The resultant construct was 1E10 VH-PAH4604.

[0125] The analysis for VKlEl0 rendered also 3 amphipatic segments (FIG. 9), the first segment embraces FR1, the second one embraces CDR1 and the thirst one embraces FR3. It was decide to replace residues at positions 7,8 and 15 by residues at the same position in the most homologous human sequence. The amino acids Thr, Thr and Leu were replaced by Ser, Pro and Val, respectively. The replacements were made by PCR overlapping (Kammann et al. (1989) Rapid insertional mutagenesis of DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Nucleic Acids Res., 17: 5404) using primers 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 whose sequences are the following:

[0126] Primers for mutation at positions 7, 8 and 15 of the light chain: Primer 1: 5′CAGATGACACAGTCTCCTTCCTCCCTGTCTGCCTCTGTGGGAGACAG AGTC 3′ Primer 2: 5′AGCGTCGACTTACGTTT(TG)ATTTCCA(GA)CTT(GT)GTCCC 3′ Primer 3: 5′GACTCTGTCTCCCACAGAGGCAGACAGGGAGGAAGGAGACTGTGTCA TCTG 3′ Primer 4: 5′GGGGTTAACCACCATGAGG(GT)CCCC(AT)GCTCAG(CT)T(CT)C T(TG)GG(GA) 3′

[0127] The point mutations were verified by sequencing. The resultant construct was 1 El OVkhu and it was cloned in PAG 4622 expression vector. The resultant construct was 1E10 VKhu-PAG4622.

[0128] To express the humanized antibody 1E10, NS-0 cells were transfected with 1E10 VHhu-PAH4604 and 1 El OVKhu-PAG4622

[0129] 1E10 hu antibody was transfected following the same procedure of electroporation and detection described previously for the chimeric antibodies.

Example 6 Biological Activity of Chimeric MAbIE10.

[0130] The specific binding to antigen measured by ELISA tested the biological activity of the Mab 1E10 chimeric.

[0131] For recombinant MAb 1 E10, Microtiter plates were coated with Mab P3. After washing with PBST (saline phosphate buffered solution containing 0.05% Tween 20), unspecific binding was blockade with bovine sera albumin (BSA) 1% in PBST, incubated for one hour at 37° C.

[0132] The wells were washed and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. with purified recombinant Mab 1E10. The wells were washed with PBST and a goat anti-human antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was added and incubated at 37° C. for one hour. Finally, the wells were washed with PBST and the substrate buffer containing p-nitrophenylphosphate was added.

[0133] After half hour absorbance at 405 nm respectively, was measured.

[0134] Mab C5 chimeric was used as negative control.

[0135]FIG. 10 shows the specific binding of Mab 1E10 chimeric to Mab P3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0136]FIG. 1: VHP3 DNA and deduced amino acid sequences. Sequences are aligned according Kabat's numbering (Kabat et al. (1991), Sequences of proteins of immunological interest, Fifth Edition, National Institute of Health), CDRs appeared marked with dotted lines.

[0137]FIG. 2: VKP3 DNA and deduced amino acid sequences. Sequences are aligned according Kabat's numbering (Kabat and collaborators (1991), Sequences of proteins of immunological interest, Fifth Edition, National Institute of Health), CDRs appeared marked with dotted lines.

[0138]FIG. 3: VHP3 was aligned with the most homologous human sequence. Amphipatic segments are underlined and CDRs in bold.

[0139]FIG. 4: VKP3 was aligned with the most homologous human sequence. Amphipatic segments are underlined and CDRs in bold.

[0140]FIG. 5: Specific binding to GM3(NeuGc) by chimeric Mab P3. Different concentrations of Mab P3 and MAb TI (negative control) were tested by ELISA. Microtiter plates were coated with GM3(NeuGc) and GM3(NeuAc) (negative control) ganglioside in methanol and specific binding was measured.

[0141]FIG. 6: VH1E10 DNA and deduced amino acid sequences. Sequences are aligned according Kabat's numbering (Kabat and collaborators (1991), Sequences of proteins of immunological interest, Fifth Edition, National Institute of Health), CDRs appeared marked with dotted lines.

[0142]FIG. 7: VK1E10 DNA and deduced amino acid sequences. Sequences are aligned according Kabat's numbering (Kabat et al. (1991), Sequences of proteins of immunological interest, Fifth Edition, National Institute of Health), CDRs appeared marked with dotted lines.

[0143]FIG. 8: VH1E10 was aligned with the most homologous human sequence. Amphipatic segments are underlined and CDRs in bold.

[0144]FIG. 9: VK1E10 was aligned with the most homologous human sequence. Amphipatic segments are underlined and CDRs in bold.

[0145]FIG. 10: Specific binding murine Mab P3 by chimeric Mab 1E10. Different concentrations of Mab 1E10 and MAb C5 (negative control) were tested by ELISA. Microtiter plates were coated with Mab P3 and Mab A3 (negative control) and specific binding was measured.

1 72 1 5 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(5) 1 Arg Tyr Ser Val His 1 5 2 16 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(16) 2 Met Ile Trp Gly Gly Gly Ser Thr Asp Tyr Asn Ser Ala Leu Lys Ser 1 5 10 15 3 14 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(14) 3 Ser Gly Val Arg Glu Gly Arg Ala Gln Ala Trp Phe Ala Tyr 1 5 10 4 11 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(11) 4 Lys Ala Ser Gln Asp Val Ser Thr Ala Val Ala 1 5 10 5 7 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(7) 5 Ser Ala Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Thr 1 5 6 9 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(9) 6 Gln Gln His Tyr Ser Thr Pro Trp Thr 1 5 7 30 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(30) 7 Gln Val Gln Leu Lys Glu Ser Gly Pro Gly Leu Val Ala Pro Ser Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Ser Ile Thr Cys Thr Val Ser Gly Phe Ser Leu Ser 20 25 30 8 14 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(14) 8 Trp Val Arg Gln Pro Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Leu Gly 1 5 10 9 32 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(32) 9 Arg Leu Ser Ile Ser Lys Asp Asn Ser Lys Ser Gln Val Phe Leu Lys 1 5 10 15 Met Asn Ser Leu Gln Thr Asp Asp Thr Ala Met Tyr Tyr Cys Ala Arg 20 25 30 10 7 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(7) 10 Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val 1 5 11 23 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(23) 11 Asp Ile Val Met Thr Gln Ser His Lys Phe Met Ser Thr Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Ser Ile Thr Cys 20 12 15 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(15) 12 Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr 1 5 10 15 13 32 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(32) 13 Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Thr Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr 1 5 10 15 Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Val Gln Ala Glu Asp Leu Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 20 25 30 14 7 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(7) 14 Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu 1 5 15 5 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(5) 15 Ser Tyr Asp Ile Asn 1 5 16 17 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(17) 16 Trp Ile Phe Pro Gly Asp Gly Ser Thr Lys Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly 17 12 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(12) 17 Glu Asp Tyr Tyr Asp Asn Ser Tyr Tyr Phe Asp Tyr 1 5 10 18 11 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(11) 18 Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Ser Asn Tyr Leu Asn 1 5 10 19 8 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(8) 19 Tyr Thr Ser Arg Leu His Ser Gly 1 5 20 9 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(9) 20 Gln Gln Gly Asn Thr Leu Pro Trp Thr 1 5 21 30 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(30) 21 Gln Val Gln Leu Gln Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Leu Val Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Leu Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr 20 25 30 22 14 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(14) 22 Trp Val Arg Gln Arg Pro Glu Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly 1 5 10 23 32 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(32) 23 Lys Ala Thr Leu Thr Thr Asp Lys Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Tyr Met Gln 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Arg Leu Thr Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Val Tyr Phe Cys Ala Arg 20 25 30 24 9 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(9) 24 Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Thr Leu Thr Val 1 5 25 23 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(23) 25 Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Thr Thr Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Ser Cys 20 26 15 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(15) 26 Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Asp Gly Thr Val Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr 1 5 10 15 27 31 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(31) 27 Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Ser Asn Leu Glu Gln Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Phe Cys 20 25 30 28 10 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(10) 28 Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Ser Lys 1 5 10 29 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 29 aggtctagaa nctccacaca caggnnccag tggatagac 39 30 29 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 30 gcgtctagaa ctggatggtg ggaagatgg 29 31 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 31 ggggatatcc accatggnat gnagctgngt natnctctt 39 32 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 32 ggggctagct gcagagacag tgaccagagt 30 33 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 33 ggggatatcc accatggagn cacannctca ggtctttnt 39 34 35 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 34 agcgtcgact tacgtttnat ttccancttn gtccc 35 35 42 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 35 atgacccagt ctccttcttc tctttccgcg tcagtaggag ac 42 36 35 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 36 agcgtcgact tacgtttnat ttccancttn gtccc 35 37 42 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 37 gtctcctact gacgcggaaa gagaagaagg agactgggtc at 42 38 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 38 ggggatatcc accatggagn cacannctca ggtctttnt 39 39 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 39 ggggctagct gaggagactg tgagagtggt 30 40 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 40 gcgtctagaa ctggatggtg ggaagatgga 30 41 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 41 ggggatatcc accatggnat gnagctgngt natnctctt 39 42 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 42 ggggctagct gaggagactg tgagagtggt 30 43 40 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 43 ggggttaacc accatgaggn ccccngctca gntnctnggn 40 44 35 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 44 agcgtcgact tacgtttnat ttccancttn gtccc 35 45 27 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 45 caggttcagc tggtgcagtc tggagct 27 46 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 46 ggggctagct gaggagactg tgagagtggt 30 47 27 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 47 agctccagac tgcaccagct gaacctg 27 48 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 48 ggggatatcc accatggnat gnagctgngt natnctctt 39 49 33 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 49 tgggtgaggc aggcgcctgg gcagggactt gag 33 50 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 50 ggggctagct gaggagactg tgagagtggt 30 51 33 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 51 ctcaagtccc tgcccaggcg cctgcctcac cca 33 52 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 52 ggggatatcc accatggnat gnagctgngt natnctctt 39 53 27 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 53 ctcagcaggc tgcggtctga ggactct 27 54 30 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 54 ggggctagct gaggagactg tgagagtggt 30 55 27 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 55 agagtcctca gaccgcagcc tgctgag 27 56 39 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 56 ggggatatcc accatggnat gnagctgngt natnctctt 39 57 51 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 57 cagatgacac agtctccttc ctccctgtct gcctctgtgg gagacagagt c 51 58 35 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 58 agcgtcgact tacgtttnat ttccancttn gtccc 35 59 51 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 59 gactctgtct cccacagagg cagacaggga ggaaggagac tgtgtcatct g 51 60 40 DNA Artificial Sequence synthetic PCR primer sequence 60 ggggttaacc accatgaggn ccccngctca gntnctnggn 40 61 118 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(118) 61 Gln Val Gln Leu Lys Glu Ser Gly Pro Gly Leu Val Ala Pro Ser Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Ser Ile Thr Cys Thr Val Ser Gly Phe Ser Leu Ser Arg Tyr 20 25 30 Ser Val His Trp Val Arg Gln Pro Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Leu 35 40 45 Gly Met Ile Trp Gly Gly Gly Ser Thr Asp Tyr Asn Ser Ala Leu Lys 50 55 60 Ser Arg Leu Ser Ile Ser Lys Asp Asn Ser Lys Ser Gln Val Phe Leu 65 70 75 80 Lys Met Asn Ser Leu Gln Thr Asp Asp Thr Ala Met Tyr Tyr Cys Ala 85 90 95 Arg Ser Gly Val Arg Glu Gly Arg Ala Gln Ala Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp 100 105 110 Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val 115 62 354 DNA Mus musculus V_region (1)..(354) 62 caggtgcagc tgaaggagtc aggacctggc ctggtggcac cctcacagag cctgtccatc 60 acatgcactg tctctgggtt ctcattatcc agatatagtg tacactgggt tcgccagcct 120 ccaggaaagg gtctggagtg gctgggaatg atatggggtg gtggaagcac agactataat 180 tcagctctca aatccagact gagcatcagc aaggacaact ccaagagcca agttttctta 240 aaaatgaaca gtctgcaaac tgatgacaca gccatgtact actgtgccag aagtggggta 300 cgagagggaa gggcccaggc ctggtttgct tactggggcc aagggactct ggtc 354 63 104 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(104) 63 Asp Ile Val Met Thr Gln Ser His Lys Phe Met Ser Thr Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Ser Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln Asp Val Ser Thr Ala 20 25 30 Val Ala Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Ser Ala Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Thr Gly Val Pro Asp Arg Phe Thr Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Val Gln Ala 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Leu Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln His Tyr Ser Thr Pro Trp 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu 100 64 312 DNA Mus musculus V_region (1)..(312) 64 gacattgtga tgacccagtc tcacaaattc atgtccacat cagtaggaga cagggtcagc 60 atcacctgca aggccagtca ggatgtgagt actgctgtag cctggtatca acagaaacca 120 ggacaatctc ctaaactact gatttactcg gcatcctacc ggtacactgg agtccctgat 180 cgcttcactg gcagtggatc tgggacggat ttcactttca ccatcagcag tgtgcaggct 240 gaagacctgg cagtttatta ctgtcagcaa cattatagta ctccgtggac gttcggtgga 300 ggcaccaagc tg 312 65 118 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(118) 65 Gln Val Glu Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Val Val Glx Pro Gly Arg 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Ser Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Met His Trp Val Arg Gln Pro Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Ala Val Ile Ser Tyr Asx Gly Asx Asx Lys Tyr Tyr Ala Asx Ser Val 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asx Ser Lys Asx Thr Leu Tyr 65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asx Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Asp Arg Pro Leu Tyr Gly Asx Tyr Arg Ala Phe Asn Tyr Trp 100 105 110 Gly Gln Gly Thr Leu Val 115 66 103 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(103) 66 Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Thr Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Trp Phe Gln Gln Arg Pro Gly Gln Ala Pro Lys Val Leu Ile Tyr 35 40 45 Gly Ala Ser Ile Leu Glu Thr Gly Val Thr Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser 50 55 60 Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu 65 70 75 80 Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Asp Thr Leu Pro Leu Thr 85 90 95 Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Val 100 67 119 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(119) 67 Gln Val Gln Leu Gln Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Leu Val Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Leu Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Asp Ile Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Arg Pro Glu Gln Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile Phe Pro Gly Asp Gly Ser Thr Lys Tyr Asn Glu Lys Phe 50 55 60 Lys Gly Lys Ala Thr Leu Thr Thr Asp Lys Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Gln Leu Ser Arg Leu Thr Ser Glu Asp Ser Ala Val Tyr Phe Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg Glu Asp Tyr Tyr Asp Asn Ser Tyr Tyr Phe Asp Tyr Trp Gly 100 105 110 Gln Gly Thr Thr Leu Thr Val 115 68 357 DNA Mus musculus V_segment (1)..(357) 68 caggttcagc tgcagcagtc tggagctgaa ctggtaaagc ctggggcttc agtgaagttg 60 tcctgcaagg cttctggcta caccttcaca agctatgata taaactgggt gaggcagagg 120 cctgaacagg gacttgagtg gattggatgg atttttcctg gagatggtag tactaagtac 180 aatgagaagt tcaagggcaa ggccacactg actacagaca aatcctccag cacagcctac 240 atgcagctca gcaggctgac atctgaggac tctgctgtct atttctgtgc aagagaagac 300 tactatgata actcctacta ctttgactac tggggccaag gcaccactct cacagtc 357 69 107 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(107) 69 Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Gln Thr Thr Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Ser Cys Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Ser Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asn Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Asp Gly Thr Val Lys Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Tyr Thr Ser Arg Leu His Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Ser Leu Thr Ile Ser Asn Leu Glu Gln 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Phe Cys Gln Gln Gly Asn Thr Leu Pro Trp 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Gly Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Ser Lys 100 105 70 321 DNA Mus musculus V_segment (1)..(321) 70 gatatccaga tgacacagac tacatcctcc ctgtctgcct ctctgggaga cagagtcacc 60 atcagttgca gggcaagtca ggacattagc aattatttaa actggtatca gcagaaacca 120 gatggaactg ttaaactcct gatctactac acatcaagat tacactcagg agtcccatca 180 aggttcagtg gcagtgggtc tggaacagat tattctctca ccattagcaa cctggagcaa 240 gaagatattg ccacttactt ttgccaacag ggtaatacgc ttccgtggac gttcggtgga 300 ggcaccaagc tggaaatcaa a 321 71 126 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(126) 71 Gln Thr Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Arg Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Arg Val Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Ile Thr Phe Ile Asp Ser 20 25 30 Tyr Ile His Trp Ile Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly His Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Gly Trp Ile Asn Pro Asn Ser Gly Gly Pro Asn Tyr Ala Pro Arg Phe 50 55 60 Gln Gly Arg Val Thr Met Thr Arg Asp Ala Ser Phe Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met Asp Leu Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Ser Ala Val Phe Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Ala Lys Ser Asp Pro Phe Trp Ser Asp Tyr Tyr Asn Phe Asp Tyr Ser 100 105 110 Tyr Thr Leu Asp Val Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Thr Val Thr Val 115 120 125 72 107 PRT Mus musculus DOMAIN (1)..(107) 72 Asp Ile Gln Met Thr Glx Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asx Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Arg Ala Ser Glx Thr Ile Ser Ser Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Asx Trp Tyr Glx Glx Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Asx Leu Leu Ile 35 40 45 Tyr Ala Ala Ser Asx Leu His Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asx Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Glx Pro 65 70 75 80 Glx Asx Phe Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Glx Glx Ser Tyr Ser Ser Pro Thr 85 90 95 Thr Phe Gly Glx Gly Thr Arg Leu Glx Ile Lys 100 105 

1. A chimeric monoclonal antibody derived from the murine monoclonal antibody Mab P3 that recognizes gangliosides containing N-glycolylated sialic acid, and which is produced by the hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 94113026, wherein the hypervariable domains of its heavy and light chains comprise the following sequences: Heavy Chain CDR1: RYSVH (SEQ ID NO: 1) CDR2: MIWGGGSTDYNSALKS (SEQ ID NO: 2) CDR3: SGVREGRAQAWFAY (SEQ ID NO: 3)

Light Chain CDR1: KASQDVSTAVA (SEQ ID NO: 4) CDR2: SASYRYT (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR3: QQHYSTPWT (SEQ ID NO: 6)


2. A chimeric monoclonal antibody according to claim 1 wherein the framework regions (frs) of its heavy and light chains comprise the following sequences: Heavy Chain FR1: QVQLKESGPGLVAPSQSLSITCTVSGFSLS (SEQ ID NO: 7) FR2: WVRQPPGKGLEWLG (SEQ ID NO: 8) FR3: RLSISKDNSKSQVFLKMNSLQTDDTAMYYCAR (SEQ ID NO: 9) FR4: WGQGTLV (SEQ ID NO: 10)

Light Chain FR1: DIVMTQSHKFMSTSVGDRVSITC (SEQ ID NO: 11) FR2: WYQQKPGQSPKLLIY (SEQ ID NO: 12) FR3: GVPDRFTGSGSGTDFTFTISSVQAEDLAVYYC (SEQ ID NO: 13) FR4: FGGGTKL (SEQ ID NO: 14)


3. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 1, wherein for its humanization and preserving the binding properties to the antigen, it includes at least one of the following substitutions: Light Chain: Position 8: His by Pro Position 9: Lys by Ser Position 10: Phe by Ser Position 11: Met by Leu Positionn 13: Thr by Ala
 4. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 1, wherein the constant region of the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of gamma-1 chain and the constant region of the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of a kappa chain, both derived from human immunoglobulins.
 5. A cell line that produces any of the monoclonal antibodies of claim
 1. 6. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of malignant tumors of breast and melanomas, their metastases and relapses which comprises any of the monoclonal antibodies of claim
 1. 7. A pharmaceutical composition for “in vivo” localization e identification of malignant tumors of breast and melanomas, their metastases and relapses which comprises any of the monoclonal antibodies of claim
 1. 8. Use of the monoclonal antibody of any one of the claim 1 for the manufacture of a medicament useful for the treatment of malignant tumors of breast and melanomas, their metastases and relapses.
 9. A chimeric monoclonal antibody derived from the murine anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody 1E10 that recognizes murine MAb P3 and produced by the hybridoma cell line with deposit number ECACC 97112901, wherein the hypervariable domains of its heavy and light chains comprise the following sequences: Heavy Chain CDR1: SYDIN (SEQ ID NO: 15) CDR2: WIFPGDGSTKYNEKFKG (SEQ ID NO: 16) CDR3: EDYYDNSYYFDY (SEQ ID NO: 17)

Light Chain CDR1: RASQDISNYLN (SEQ ID NO: 18) CDR2: YTSRLHSG (SEQ ID NO: 19) CDR3: QQGNTLPWT (SEQ ID NO: 20)


10. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 9 wherein the framework regions (FRs) of its heavy and light chains comprise the following sequences: Heavy Chain FR1: QVQLQQSGAELVKPGASVKLSCKASGYTFT (SEQ ID NO: 21) FR2: WVRQRPEQGLEWIG (SEQ ID NO: 22) FR3: KATLTTDKSSSTAYMQLSRLTSEDSAVYFCAR (SEQ ID NO: 23) FR4: WGQGTTLTV (SEQ ID NO: 24)

Light Chain FR1: DIQMTQTTSSLSASLGDRVTISC (SEQ ID NO: 25) FR2: WYQQKPDGTVKLLIY (SEQ ID NO: 26) FR3: VPSRFSGSGSGTDYSLTISNLEQEDIATYFC (SEQ ID NO: 27) FR4: FGGGTKLESK (SEQ ID NO: 23)


11. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 9, wherein for its humanization and preserving the binding properties to the antigen, it includes at least one of the following substitutions: Light Chain: Position 7: Thr by Ser Position 8: Thr by Pro Position 15: Leu by Val Heavy Chain Position 5: Gln by Val Position 40: Arg by Ala Position 42: Glu by Gly Position 87 (83 according to Kabat's numbering): Thr by Arg
 12. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 9 wherein the constant region of the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of gamma-1 chain and the constant region of the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of a kappa chain, both derived from of human immunoglobulins.
 13. A cell line that produces any of the monoclonal antibodies of claim
 9. 14. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of malignant tumors of breast and melanomas, their metastases and relapses which comprises any of the monoclonal antibodies of claim
 9. 15. A pharmaceutical composition for “in vivo” localization e identification of malignant tumors of breast and melanomas, their metastases and relapses, comprising any of the monoclonal antibodies of claims which comprises any of the monoclonal antibodies of claim
 9. 16. Use of the monoclonal antibody of any one of the claim 9 for the manufacture of a medicament useful for the treatment of malignant tumors of breast and melanomas, their metastases and relapses. 